Grizzlies star nearing return from ankle injury

Grizzlies high-scoring guard Desmond Bane is close to returning from a Grade 3 left ankle sprain, Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

Bane has been doing three-on-three basketball activities the past two weeks and progressed to five-on-five in recent days. He could return to action as early as this weekend.

“He’s working really hard, so I envision in a couple games here, he’s back in the lineup,” coach Taylor Jenkins said.

Bane was in the midst of a career year prior to the injury, averaging 24.4 points, 5.3 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 37 games. He suffered the injury during a Jan. 12 game against the Clippers.

In the last update from the team on Feb. 22, Bane’s timetable was listed at three-to-five weeks.

Brandon Clarke, who suffered a torn left Achilles tendon last March, will start five-on-five workouts this weekend with hopes of getting some game action before the season ends.

“Really encouraged by all the signs he’s been showing,” Jenkins said. “He’s on schedule. We’re hopeful sometime maybe at the end of the month he’s in a Grizzlies uniform.”

Clarke is in the first year of a four-year, $52M extension he signed in 2022.